Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said the need of the hour for Nagas is to understand the ‘dialogue of settlement’ that is currently being deliberated at the highest office of the country, and urged the Union Government to expedite the Naga peace process and bring about an ‘honourable and acceptable solution’ to the vexed Naga political issue.
Addressing a mammoth gathering of Naga People’s Front (NPF) party workers and members including delegates from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh at the Dimapur District Sport Complex (DDSC) Stadium on the occasion of 7th NPF General Convention on Thursday, Rio said Nagas, especially the youth, need to question the negotiating parties and to give proper pressure towards the issue.
He expressed apprehension that any settlement reached would be a revisit of the 16-Point Agreement of 1963 which had provoked much conflict among Nagas since it had been signed without proper consultation with the underground groups as well as the Naga public.
He also maintained that even if the Indo-Naga peace process settlement is to see the light of day, questions of uncertainty arise on whether the agreements will be honoured by the Centre.
Rio pointed out that a number of points and clauses under the 16-Point Agreement, including the one that says that Nagaland will come under the Ministry of External Affairs (p-2), tribal local self government of the village, range and tribal council (p-8), financial assistance from the Centre to supplement the revenues of Nagaland (p-11), consolidation of forest areas and consolidation of contiguous Naga areas (p-12) among others, were not honoured while some were unilaterally revoked by the Centre.
He, therefore, exhorted party workers, and Nagas as a whole, that to fight for the upkeep of any settlement that may come about.
Also reiterating his appeal to the central government to expedite the peace process and bring about an honourable and acceptable solution, Mr Rio remarked that the present generation cannot allow the political imbroglio to be left behind for another generation to grapple with.
“Let us all give peace a final push so that we can prosper and progress as a people,” Rio said and maintained that the resolution of the peace process continues to be at the top of the NPF agenda.
“We have maintained a consistent approach to the Naga political issue and never deviated from our stand at any point of time,” he said, while taking the opportunity to assure the people that NPF stands faithful to the Naga people and will do all that is possible to contribute towards the realization of lasting peace.
He also appreciated the contributions of the NGOs, civil society, the church and the FNR for their tireless efforts towards reconciliation and unity among the Nagas.(UNI)